Eastern Development Foundation Under New Leadership
(Press Release 8-03-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation had a couple of new faces in new positions at their regular meeting last week when the board met.

Maynard Phillips made his first meeting with the board as he assumed his new position at the Wilburton college as Foundation Director and Director of Development. Also, Ann Owens will follow Lance Woodliff as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Owens had been a board member for eight years before becoming chairman.

Owens was formerly with South Western Bell Telephone for more than 28 years before retiring as area manager. Among other activities she serves as Executive Director of the McAlester Regional Health Center Foundation.

Phillips has replaced Jerry Smith as director following reorganization by Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard. Smith is now assigned as full-time Athletic Director for the college with Phillips as full-time Development Director.

Bernard said both jobs required full-time attention and Phillips will be working toward generating new grants and revenue necessary during a time when state funding is limited.

Phillips is originally from Tushka where he graduated from Tushka High School and later attended San Antonio College and the University of Oklahoma. He spent 26 years in San Antonio where he was successful in sales, sales management and sales training development for NAPA Auto Parts, Dietz Electric, USAA Insurance and Woodmen of the World.

Phillips is certified as a Fundraising Professional, Estate Planner and Management Negotiator. He comes to Eastern from Lubbock Christian University where he was the Executive Director of Development.

Bernard said Phillips has a track record of successfully increasing necessary funding and wanted to return to Oklahoma.

“While at Lubbock Christian University he successfully implemented a planned giving program, increased their corporate and individual donor base, doubled their annual giving and increased endowed scholarships while managing the largest campaign in the history of Lubbock Christian University,” Bernard said.

“Eastern is very fortunate to be able to attract such an experienced and successful fundraising professional from a four-year Texas university.

Caption info: Ann Owens, left, from McAlester visits with Maynard Phillips during the Eastern Oklahoma State College Development Foundation meeting last week. Owens is assuming the duties of Chairperson of the Board of Directors while Phillips has taken the Foundation Director position.